Six Journeys One Destiny

Chapter 3 Sixteen

Author's Pov

Flashback: The Summer They Were Sixteen

The Singhania farmhouse, ten years ago, was alive with the sound of teenagers' laughter, their carefree energy filling the air like a summer breeze. It was one of those perfect afternoons when the world felt endless, the future far off, and the present was all that mattered.

The six of them—Nil, Ayan, Heyansh, Prisha, Paridhi, and Radhika—had been inseparable that summer, spending every waking hour together. There were no obligations, no careers to manage, and no worries about the responsibilities that would eventually pile up. They were just six teens, enjoying the freedom of youth.

They had gathered near the lake behind the farmhouse, a spot that had become their usual hangout. The water shimmered under the sun, and the old wooden dock creaked as they sat around, teasing and joking with each other.

"Come on, Heyansh, you're going to have to tell her sooner or later," Nil said, throwing a glance at his younger brother with a teasing smirk.

Heyansh flushed a little, casting a quick glance toward Prisha, who was sitting by the edge of the dock, her feet dipped in the cool water. She was laughing at something Paridhi had said, her guard down completely, making her seem almost ethereal in the soft light. But Heyansh, trying to maintain his tough-guy image, simply rolled his eyes.

"Like you're one to talk, Nil," Ayan chimed in, sitting cross-legged on the dock. "You haven't made a single move either, despite all your smooth talking."

Nil's face broke into a charming grin, his usual composed demeanor slipping into something more playful. "Who says I need to make a move? Sometimes it's all about the subtle hints."

Prisha, overhearing, scoffed. "Subtle hints? Nil, you've been trying to show off for Radhika all week. There's nothing subtle about you."

Radhika, blushing furiously beside Prisha, glared at her. "Stop!" she muttered under her breath, but her eyes betrayed her embarrassment. Nil and Radhika had always shared a connection—one that both tried to play down with teasing and sarcasm, but everyone else could see through the act.

"Right, because it's not obvious that Paridhi's practically ready to push Ayan into the lake just to get his attention," Heyansh quipped, turning the attention to Ayan and Paridhi.

Paridhi narrowed her eyes at Heyansh, feigning indignation. "Excuse me? I could push Ayan in the lake, but it's not because I want his attention. It's because he deserves it."

Ayan, always ready with a comeback, raised his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I wouldn't mind getting wet, but you might want to think twice before ruining this flawless hair."

Paridhi rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the grin tugging at her lips. Despite all the bickering, there was an undeniable chemistry between her and Ayan. They fought like cats and dogs, but it was the kind of fighting that had a spark behind it—a spark neither of them acknowledged out loud.

---

As the group continued to banter, Prisha stood up, shaking the water off her feet before walking over to Heyansh. She stood over him, her shadow falling across his face as he squinted up at her.

"Still pretending you're not scared of me, huh?" she teased, a soft smile playing at her lips.

Heyansh leaned back on his elbows, his tough-guy act firmly in place. "Why would I be scared of you? You're not that intimidating."

She smirked and nudged him lightly with her foot. "Sure, because last time I checked, you lost to me in our running race."

"That was a fluke," he muttered, but there was no edge in his voice—just a fondness he never let slip too often.